Merry-go-round

ABSTRACT

A merry-go-round has a hemispherical framework or cage rotatable about a vertical axis, the framework including a plurality of curved beams of quadrantal shape extending from a common hub at the nadir of the hemisphere to its equator defined by a circular hoop; each beam forms a guidetrack for a respective trolley having several passenger cabins suspended therefrom by universal joints. The trolleys are hoisted along their tracks, during a ride, by chains or the like which in one embodiment are controlled by a piston slidable under air pressure in the hollow beam. The framework may surround a sphere bearing a simulated moonscape, the cabins simulating space craft on a lunar mission. A method is also disclosed of erecting and collapsing the lunar sphere step-by-step with application of air pressure to a telescoped center post.

United States Patent Schwarzkopf [54] MERRY-GO-ROUND [72] Inventor: Anton Schwarzkopf, Munsterhausen/Schwaben, Germany [73] Assignee: Firma Anton Schwarzkopf, Munsterhausen/Schwaben, Germany [22] Filed: Aug. 5, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 61,233

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data [4 1 Oct. 17, 1972 Hutchinson ..272/47 Colgate ..272/41 [5 7] ABSTRACT A merry-go-round has a hemispherical framework or cage rotatable about a vertical axis, the framework including a plurality of curved beams of quadrantal shape extending from a common hub at the nadir of the hemisphere to its equator defined by a circular hoop; each beam forms a guidetrack for a respective trolley having several passenger cabins suspended therefrom by universal joints. The trolleys are hoisted along their tracks, during a ride, by chains or the like which in one embodiment are controlled by a piston slidable under air pressure in the hollow beam. The framework may surround a sphere bearing a simulated moonscape, the cabins simulating space craft on a lunar mission. A method is also disclosed of erecting and collapsing the lunar sphere step-by-step with application of air pressure to a telescoped center post.

18 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED "I 1 I97? 3. 698 7 1 0 saw 1 or 4 FIG. I

ANTON S'CHWARZKOPF INVENTOR BY :karl g in Attorney PATENTEDHBI 1'! I972 3,698.71 0 sum 2 [1F 4 INVENTOR BY gm 9- Attorney ANTON SCHWARZKOPF PATENTEDHN 1'! m2 3 9 710 sum 3 BF 4 4 ANTON SCHNARZKOPF INVENTOR Attorney PATENTEDBBI 17 I972 3.698.710

sum u or 4 AI'IIOK SCHWARZKOPF INVENTOR BY marl 9- Attorney MERRY-GO-ROUND My present invention relates to a merry-go-round provided with at least one curved girder for the guidance of a trolley which is connected to passenger cabins or the like.

It is known to shift the plane of motion of the passenger cabins of a merry-go-round from a horizontal position to an inclined or vertical position in order to intensify the thrill.

In conventional merry-go-rounds a turntable is mounted on the end of a strong bell-crank lever, wire cages for boarding by passengers being provided at the edge of the turntable. As soon as the turntable has reached its full speed and the passengers are thus pressed against the rear walls of the cages by the action of the centrifugal force, the lever with the turntable mounted thereon is tilted to an inclined position with the result that the turntable rotates in a sharply inclined plane.

In another known merry-go-round, a trolley is guided along a fixed curved girder of quadrant section, the trolley carrying a turntable on the periphery of which the passenger carriers are provided. When the trolley is disposed at the lower, substantially horizontally extending end of the girder, the turntable assumes a substantially horizontal position in which the passenger carriers can be boarded. When the turntable has been set in rotation, the trolley, which is provided with a drive, climbs upwardly by means of a rack-and pinion transmission extending along the girder, the horizontal plane of rotation of the turntable being thus converted into a substantially vertical plane of rotation.

It is a determining factor of the earning capacity of a merry-go-round that the maximum number of passenger cabins can be boarded during a very short stopping period. For safety reasons, the number of passenger cabins and thus the capacity of the merry-goround are limited by the centrifugal forces and the forces of inertia generated when the system is in operation.

It is thus the object of the invention to develop a merry-go-round of a new, yet safe, construction of increased loading capacity generating a special thrill in that the passenger carrier not only moves from a horizontal to a vertical plane of rotation but can also carry out additional individual movements in the individual shifting plane of rotation. Hitherto it has been impossible to achieve the technical effect attainable by the merry-go-round according to my invention.

in order to achieve this object, I proceed from the last-described merry-go-round construction with at leastone curved girder for the guidance of a trolley on which a rotatable frame carrying the passenger cabins and a motor for rotating the frame are mounted, the trolley can move from a lower neutral position, in which the passenger cabins can be boarded, along the curved, upwardly extending girder to a traveling position with the result that the rotating frame is shifted from a substantially horizontal plane of rotation to a substantially vertical plane of rotation.

In accordance with the invention, a plurality of girders with their associated trolleys and frames are connected at one end at regular intervals to a central hub rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, their upwardly extending other ends being connected to a closed stiffening rim; the hub is driven by a driving unit, preferably by a d.c. motor with regenerative speed control known as Ward-Leonard system.

In a preferred construction according to the invention, the individual frames are provided with a hub, mounted on the trolley, rigid with radially outwardly extending curved stirrups from the free ends of which the passenger cabins are pivotally suspended. The passenger cabins are advantageously of streamlined construction simulating space craft.

In one advantageous construction, five curved girders are provided at regular intervals on the central hub, a trolley with four suspended passenger cabins being guided on each girder. In this embodiment, 20 passenger cabins each accommodating a plurality of persons are thus provided. It is thus possible to convey approximately 60 to persons per journey, the particular advantage afforded residing in that all the persons are able to board the merry-go-round within the brief time when it is in its neutral position.

The considerably increased capacity as compared with that of conventional merry-go-round results from the skillful design of the subject matter of the invention, in which the forces generated by the passenger cabins largely cancel each other out, since the curved girders are interconnected by the stiffening rim to form a strong frame corresponding to a hollow hemisphere whose rotation can be readily brought about by suitable driving means. In accordance with the invention, not only do the passenger carriers pass from the horizontal to the vertical plane of rotation but, by virtue of the rotatable mounting of the frame on the trolley, an additional individual movement is imparted thereto so that they move additionally in a vertical plane as they rotate about the vertical axis of the merry-go-round. Additional thrills may be obtained by suspending the passenger cabins pendulum-fashion from their frames.

A large, preferably rotatable, spherical device simulating, for example, the moon may be provided at the center of the merry-go-round according to the invention, the system thus imparting the impression of circling around a planet. This impression may be intensified by giving the passenger cabins a streamlined construction simulating space craft.

The invention may be modified and developed to provide numerous alternative constructions. Thus, for example, the joint connecting the passenger cabin to the frame may be constructed as a ball-and-socket or other universal joint to produce swinging or rotating movements effective in various planes. The joint is advantageously provided with a pin rotatable about a vertical axis, the pin absorbing the weight of the frame. Since centrifugal forces act upon the passenger cabins in various planes, the individual cabins can adjust themselves freely to such forces by virtue of their suspended, pendulum-like mounting.

in accordance with the invention, furthermore, the feed drive for the trolley guided on the girder is at least partially mounted within the girder constructed as a hollow section. The cavity of the girder advantageously contains a lifting or first motor, preferably of pneumatic type, whose piston assembly is connected to the trolley by flexible members. The piston is advantageously assembled from a plurality of spaced discs provided with air passages and carrying collar-shaped or sleeve-like rings on both faces, the border zones of the rings being turned over in opposite directions to form closed chambers. The piston rods consist preferably of connecting rods or pitmans linked together, their joints being provided with rollers guided on the inside wall of the girder in the manner of a trolley. In this construction, a guide wheel for a traction chain or similar drawing means is provided at the free end of the piston rod, one end of the chain or the like being secured to the girder, its other end being secured to the trolley carrying the frame.

It is thus possible with little expenditure of structural parts and energy to move the trolley loaded with rotating passenger cabins for a substantial distance along a curved girder, the safety of this drive being considerable as compared with that of known constructions since the pneumatic pressure in the individual curved girders acts as a damping element upon failure of the driving means. In the case of damage, the trolleys would thus return only gradually to the lower starting position and nobody would be in danger.

Drives of this construction are known per se and not limited to the basic concept of the invention, but may also be used with otherwise conventional merry-gorounds. Furthermore, I may use this hoisting mechanism in any construction in which an object is to be reciprocated along a curved guide.

In an alternative construction of the hoist referred to, the drag chain or the like is connected to the trolley carrying the frame, passing over a guide wheel into the cavity of the girder and through the girder to a driving wheel which is driven by an electric motor. The driving wheel, which is preferably mounted within the girder, is provided with a safety element, preferably of synthetic resin, embracing the wheel to prevent disengagement of the chain.

In both alternatives, the drag chain cannot be prevented from getting into frictional contact with the girder at least in places. in accordance with the invention, the resulting difficulties are avoided by providing the friction surfaces of the girder, contacted by the drag chain or the like, with a sliding layer preferably made of synthetic resin. The sliding layer is preferably provided on the outwardly directed side of the girder.

The practical realization of the ideas underlying the invention involves the difficulty of producing a curved girder which, on the one hand, is a suitable guide for the trolley carrying the passenger carriers and, on the other hand, is adequately sealed for the pressure medium to enable it to shift the loaded trolley. In accordance with another feature of the invention, this difficulty is solved in that the girder is assembled from two curved, flanged girder halves of U-section. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention described hereinafter guide rails for the trolley rollers are connected to the peripheries of the flanges, the securing means for the rails serving at the same time as connecting elements of the flanges. This affords the advantage that the trolley is guided in the neutral zone of the girder and the whole interior of the girder can be utilized for the accommodation of a piston with a flexible piston rod. As far as I am aware, the idea of a prismatic piston being movable in a curved guide tube of corresponding polygonal section is a novel concept.

It has been mentioned initially that a considerable advantage may be afforded by allowing the passenger carriers to rotate about a spherical structure simulating, for example, the moon. The construction and assembly of spheres of this kind presents, however, a considerable technological problem taking into account that in a preferred construction according to the invention the overall height of the roundabout exceeds about 20 meters and the rotating passenger carriers have a diameter of about 25 meters. The sphere would thus have a diameter of about 18 meters. It is thus an additional object of the invention to provide a spherical structure of this kind adapted to be assembled and dismantled within a minimum of time. 7

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, this problem is solved by mounting the hub provided with the girders on a rotatable telescopic column or post mounted on a base and connected to a spherical framework enclosed with play by the girders, for example in the zone of the lower hemisphere. The spherical frame consists advantageously of spoked hoops of various diameters which are interconnected by curved webs or cross-members. The spherical framework is covered with a skin assembled from spherical segments which may have profiled surfaces.

I have found it particularly advantageous to employ a special method for the assembly and dismantling of the hollow spherical structure of large diameter. ln accordance with the invention, the special method consists in that a spoked hoop of the smallest diameter forming the pole of the sphere is initially secured to the upper edge of the retracted column, whereupon the column is partially extended and the next-lower spoked hoop is then secured to the extended section of the column, braced with stays or struts and covered with skin segments, the remaining sections of the framework and of the skin being assembled in the same manner as the column is progressively extended step by step, the dismantling being effected in the reverse order.

A particularly suitable telescopic column for carrying out the method according to the invention consists in that its interior, which is largely sealed off from the outside, is connected to a pneumatic pressure source and the individual telescoped hollow cylinders of the column are mechanically locked in the extended position.

The pneumatic pressure merely has the purpose of performing the job of lifting the individual cylinders of the column until they are in the extended position in which they can be mechanically interconnected. Moreover, the lifting device of this specific construction affords the advantage of acting as a means for preventing accidents, since the compressed air acts as a damping cushion when the individual cylinders of the column are lowered. Leakage between the cylinders of the column plays no particular part, since the air escaping at these locations is immediately replaced from the pneumatic pressure source.

It will be understood that the subject matter of the invention is independent of the specific construction of the merry-go-round. A vertically adjustable column of this kind which may be mechanically stiffened may also be used for other structures with equally good results.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a merry-go-round according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a corresponding side view of the merry-goround provided with a sphere simulating the moon;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic partial view of a passenger carrier pivotally suspended from a frame holder;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section through a curved girder of the merry-go-round;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the girder shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a modified construction of the curved girder shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a telescopic column with a spherical segment secured thereto; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale.

The construction illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a hemispherical framework including a plurality of semicircular curved beams or girders 1 extending over arcs of 90, these beams defining quadrantal guidetracks for respective trolleys 2 with frames 3 supporting passenger cabins 4. The inner ends of the curved girders 1 are connected to a common hub 5 at the nadir of the hemispherical framework which is rotatable about a vertical axis 6. The outer ends of the girders 1 are securely connected to an equatorial reinforcing ring or hoop to form a rotatable, cage-like framework in which the centrifugal forces generated by the passenger carriers 4 balance each other out to a substantial extent. The hub 5 is connected to a driving unit 8, for example a direct-current motor with a lossless speed regulator of the Ward Leonard type. In the illustrated construction, the hub is mounted on a carriage 9, which, through props or supports 10, forms a base or foundation of suitable dimensions for the merry-go-round according to the invention. The carriage 9 carries, in addition, a platform 11 to facilitate the boarding of the passenger cabins 4.

When the merry-go-round is stationary, the passenger cabins 4 are initially in the neutral position 12 in which they can be boarded. The driving unit 8 then starts to turn the hub 5, and thus the girders 1, about the vertical axis 6. As soon as the hub 5 has reached the necessary rotational speed, a drive (not shown in FIG. 1) moves the trolley 2 upwardly along the curved girders 1 with the result that the passenger cabins pass from the horizontal plane of motion, assumed in the neutral position 12 to the traveling position 13. When the passenger cabins 4 are pivotally suspended pendulum-fashion from the frame 3, their angle of inclination is automatically adjusted anywhere along the girders 1 according to the magnitude of the centrifugal forces acting upon them. In accordance with the invention, as applied to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, the frames 3 are mounted in the trolley 2 so as to be rotatable about their axis 17 and are caused to rotate by a motor 18, so that each frame 3 with the passenger cabins 4 suspended therefrom rotates additionally about its own axis 1? as it revolves about the main axis 6 of the apparatus. The passenger cabin is thus subjected to a three-dimensional centrifugal movement with the result that the thrill experienced by the passengers is considerably intensified.

Any desired number of girders 1 may be used. Four girders are provided in the illustrated construction;

their number depends upon the size of the merry-goround. In practice it has been found that constructions provided with five girders, each girder carrying a trolley with four passenger cabins, are particularly convenient.

FIG. 2 shows a particularly advantageous embodi ment of the invention in which the girders encloses a spherical structure 14 provided with a specially profiled surface 15. The sphere 14 may be so designed as to simulate the moon, the merry-go-round thus conveying the impression of a landing on the moon; a lunar module 16 or the like is simulated in the upper half of the sphere 14. The sphere 14 may also be'driven about the vertical axis 6 of FIG. 1, preferably in the opposite direction to the rotational movement of the girders.

FIG. 3 illustrates the means'by which the individual passenger cabins 4 may be pivotally suspended from the frame 3. The frame 3 is provided with curved stirrups 19 converging in a rotatable common hub mounted in the trolley 2. The free end of each stirrup 19 carries a coupling 20 enabling a three-dimensional yielding of the passenger cabin 4'to the influence of various forces. A pin 21 rotatable in a bearing 22 is mounted in the stirrup l9 aspart of a stop 23 for the absorption of load. Thepin 21 carries a universal joint 24 from which the passenger cabin 4 is suspended. The universal joint 24 enables the passenger cabin to swing pendulum-fashion in two intersecting directions. Since the pin 21 is mounted so as to be rotatable in the stirrup 10, the yielding capacity of the passenger cabin 4 is increased by one degree of freedom.

In the illustrated embodiment, the passenger cabin 4 simulates a space craft having sufficient room .for several persons. It will be understood that passenger cabins of any other shape may be used, for example specially secured swing seats of the kind used in chain merry-go-round.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show modifications of the construction of the girder 1 according to the invention and two alternative constructions of the drive used for the trolley 2.

It will be noted from FIG. 4 that the girder l is constructed as a hollow profile comprising two halves 25,26 interconnected by lateral ribs forming a flanged joint 27 to produce a sealed cavity having the shape of a curved prism. Guide rails 28 of U-profile, which may be installed simultaneously with the tightening of the flanged joint embrace the interconnected ribs 27. Guide rollers 29 mounted in a common frame 30 enclosing the girder 1 run on the guide rails 28. The frame joint 31 so that the frame 3, moved by the trolley 2 along the girder 1, can rotate about this joint 31. The

rotary motor is omitted in this simplified drawing.

In the construction illustrated in FIG. 5, the displacement of the trolley 2 along the girder l is obtained with the aid of a pneumatic hoist motor. The girder 1 contains a compressed-air chamber 32 to which compressed air is supplied from an extraneous source. The compressed-air chamber 32 is sealed in the direction of the hub 5 (FIG. 1), so that the pressure can act only upon a piston 33 which fills the whole prismatic crosssectional area of the girder 1 with a sealing fit. For this purpose, the piston 33 is assembled from a plurality of spaced, interconnected discs 34 provided with a plurality of air passages 35. Sleeve-like rings 36, which are turned over in alternately opposite directions toward the inner surface of the girder l, are provided in the peripheral area of the discs on both sides thereof. A pressure forcing the sleeves 36 with sealing action against the inner surfaces of the girder, is built up in the spaces between the discs 34 by the compressed air flowing through the openings 35. In this way, a piston of polygonal cross-section can be moved with adequate sealing action in a curved girder of corresponding section. This involves, however, the additional problem of how to transmit the axial movement to the trolley 2. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. I provide a flexible piston rod whose guide rollers 40 are guided in the girder 1. The guide rollers 40 are mounted on the one hand on a central trolley 39 and on the other hand on articulated connecting rods or pitmans 37, which are linked to the piston 33 and to the trolley 39 at 38-. The free end of the flexible linkage-37-39 externally carries a rotatable sprocket wheel 41, acting as a deflecting roller, over which there is passed a drag or traction chain 42 whose one end 43 is secured to the girder 1, its other end being connected to the trolley 2 not shown in FIG. 5. In this way a stepup transmission is obtained in which the distance covered by the trolley corresponds to twice the stroke length of the piston 33. The traction chain 43 is guided along the periphery of the girder 1. In order to reduce the friction thus generated, the girder 1 is covered at the point of contact with a sliding layer 44, see also FIG. 4, which may consist, for exam ple, of synthetic-resin tapes or the like mounted thereon. The sliding or antifriction layer 44 may also form a lateral guide forrthe chain 42.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative construction of drive for I the trolley 2. In this construction, a guide wheel 45 is mounted within the curved girder l at the upper end thereof and is enveloped by a chain 42, one strand of which extends along the periphery of the girder l to the trolley 2, the other strand extending within the girder 1 to a wheel 46'which is driven by a driving motor 47. The drive acts in the manner of a winch; the end of the chain extending beyond the driving wheel 46 may be wound up on a drum. The driving motor 47 is advantageously combined with brake of a suitable construction which operates when the trolley 2 is to be returned from the traveling position 13 shown in FIG. 1 to the neutral position 12.

It will be appreciated that there are numerous alternative means for reciprocating a trolley 2 along a curved girder 1. One of these alternatives is shown in FIG. 8, in which a bearing for the frame 3 is moved along the girder l by a hoist motor 70 through an endless revolving chain 42 or the like, the bearing carrying a turnstile motor 71 mounted in the interior of the girder FIG. 7 illustrates the manner in which a spherical structure 14 of the kind illustrated in FIG. 2 may be mounted so as to be rotatable and may, moreover, be readily assembled and dismantled. A rotatable telescopic column 48 is mounted by a ball-and-socket swivel joint 50 on a base 49 formed, for example, by a carriage 9 of the kind shown in FIG. 1. The rotating part of the ball-bearing swivel joint 50 may be: driven in known manner by a rotatory motor 68. The telescopic column 48 consists of individual hollow cylinders 58 to 67 which may be lifted by introducing compressed air into the bottom tube 67 having the largest diameter. A compressed-air inlet 69 is connected to the lower cylinder 67 for this purpose. In the extended position, the individual pneumatic cylinders are interconnected by mechanical locking means 57, so that the compressed air is required solely for lifting the tubes of the column but is not required for maintaining the asfastening means by whichthey may be secured to the curved cross-members orwebs 54 and to the hoops 52.

A sphere of a very large diameter of thisconstruction can be assembled and dismantled within a short time without any difficulty. At the beginning of the assembly the telescopic column 48 is in the retracted position.

Compressed airis initially fed to the pressure chamber of tube 67 so that the upper cylinder 58 of the column is extended ln this position, the top cylinder 58 of the column is rigidly connected by the mechanical locking device 57 to the next cylinder below it. The height of the column thus corresponds now to the length of the uppermost cylinder 58 plus the length of the lowermost cylinder 67 of the column. In this position, the upper pole and the upper spoked hoop 52,53 are connected to the hollow cylinder 58 of the column, along with the adjoining arcuate stays or webs 54 which are then covered with the skin segments. Upon completion of the work, compressed air is reintroduced into the pressure chamber of tube 67 the next hollowcylinder 59 of the column is extended and its mechanical locking device 57 is installed to establish a rigid connection with the next cylinder 60 of the column. As soon as a stabilization of the two extended hollow cylinders 58, 59 is attained, the next spoked hoop 52,53 supported by cylinder 60 is secured in position. Thisis followed by the emplacement of the curved cross-members or webs and of the skin segments. It will thus be understood that the assembly of the spherical frame 51 proceeds from the top progressively downward; this affords the advantage that the skin may be assembled starting practically at the frame 49 without any particular auxiliary means being required. This method of operation is continued until the last hollow cylinder 66 of the column is extended and its associated elements of the spherical frame 51 are secured thereto.

The dismantling of the sphere proceeds in the reverse orders, that is to say the elements of the spherical frame 51 connected to the hollow cylinder 66 of the column are first removed, whereupon the mechanical locking device between the hollow cylinders 66 and 67 of the column is released while maintaining the air pressure, and the total column 48 with the sphere secured thereto is lowered until the cylinder 66 has reached the bottom of the lowermost cylinder 67 of the column. The work is continued step by step until the uppermost hollow cylinder 58 has been lowered to its normal position.- i

It will be understoodthat all the constructions according to the invention illustrated by way of example are particularly suitable for the assembly and operation of a merry-go-round but that individual elements may also be used for other purposes. Column 48 for example, may serve for the assembly of high scaffoldings, masts or posts, particularly for Ferris wheels or similar devices. The disposition of the piston assembly shown in FIG. may be used, for example, for heavy machine tools, fun-fair amusement devices of other type and the like.

I claim:

1. A merry-go-round comprising:

a base;

a hub mounted on said base for rotation about a vertical axis;

a plurality of arcuate beams radiating from said hub in different directions and rising to an elevated level above said hub;

a hoop interconnecting the ends of said beams at said elevated level, thereby forming therewith a generally part-spherical framework;

a plurality of trolleys engaging respective beams of said framework, the latter forming guidetracks for said trolleys;

hoist means for individually displacing said trolleys along their guidetracks between the vicinity of said hub and said elevated level; and

at least one passenger cabin suspended from each of said trolleys by a universal joint.

2. A merrygo-round as defined in claim 1, wherein said beams extend over arcs of substantially 90.

3. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said trolleys is provided with a swivelable frame having a plurality of arms, a passenger cabin being universally jointed to each of said arms.

4. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 3, further comprising individual drive means on each trolley for rotating said frame about its swivel axis.

5. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 1, wherein said hoist means comprises a flexible traction member extending longitudinally of the beam and engaging said trolley.

6. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 5 wherein said hoist means further comprises a flexible linkage displaceable along said girder and following the curvature thereof, a deflecting roller at an upper end of said linkage and fluid-operable piston means engaging a lower end of said linkage for driving same outwardly.

7. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 6, wherein said beam is hollow and forms a cylinder for said piston means.

8. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 7,7 wherein said piston means comprises a set of axially spaced perforated disks hugging the inner wall surface of said beam.

9. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 7, wherein said piston means and said hollow beam are of polygonal cross-section.

10. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 6, wherein said linkage comprises a plurality of articulated rods and guide rollers on said rods engaging a track surface of the base.

11. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 6, wherein each guidetrack includes an antifriction layer on the beam contacted by said linkage.

12. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 1, wherein said beams are provided with lateral ribs forming said guidetracks.

13. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 12 wherein said beams are longitudinally split into halves each with a pair of flanges forming said ribs, the halves being interconnected at said flanges.

14. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 13, wherein said guidetracks further comprise rails of U- profile embracing the interconnected flanges.

15. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 1, further comprising a sphere concentrically disposed in said framework and simulating a heavenly body.

16. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 15 wherein said sphere has a collapsible structure supported on said hub.

17. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 16, wherein said structure includes a telescoped central post.

18. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 15 wherein said cabins have the shape of simulated space craft. 

1. A merry-go-round comprising: a base; a hub mounted on said base for rotation about a vertical axis; a plurality of arcuate beams radiating from said hub in different directions and rising to an elevated level above said hub; a hoop interconnecting the ends of said beams at said elevated level, thereby forming therewith a generally part-spherical framework; a plurality of trolleys engaging respective beams of said framework, the latter forming guidetracks for said trolleys; hoist means for individually displacing said trolleys along their guidetracks between the vicinity of said hub and said elevated level; and at least one passenger cabin suspended from each of said trolleys by a universal joint.
 2. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 1, wherein said beams extend over arcs of substantially 90*.
 3. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said trolleys is provided with a swivelable frame having a plurality of arms, a passenger cabin being universally jointed to each of said arms.
 4. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 3, further comprising individual drive means on each trolley for rotating said frame about its swivel axis.
 5. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 1, wherein said hoist means comprises a flexible traction member extending longitudinally of the beam and engaging said trolley.
 6. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 5 wherein said hoist means further comprises a flexible linkage displaceable along said girder and following the curvature thereof, a deflecting roller at an upper end of said linkage and fluid-operable piston means engaging a lower end of said linkage for driving same outwardly.
 7. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 6, wherein said beam is hollow and forms a cylinder for said piston means.
 8. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 7, wherein said piston means comprises a set of axially spaced perforated disks hugging the inner wall surface of said beam.
 9. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 7, wherein said piston means and said hollow beam are of polygonal cross-section.
 10. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 6, wherein said linkage comprises a plurality of articulated rods and guide rollers on said rods engaging a track surface of the base.
 11. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 6, wherein each guidetrack includes an antifriction layer on the beam contacted by said linkage.
 12. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 1, wherein said beams are provided with lateral ribs forming said guide-tracks.
 13. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 12 wherein said beams are longitudinally split into halves each with a pair of flanges forming said ribs, the halves being interconnected at said flanges.
 14. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 13, wherein said guidetracks further comprise rails of U-profile embracing the interconnected flanges.
 15. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 1, further comprising a sphere concentricalLy disposed in said framework and simulating a heavenly body.
 16. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 15 wherein said sphere has a collapsible structure supported on said hub.
 17. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 16, wherein said structure includes a telescoped central post.
 18. A merry-go-round as defined in claim 15 wherein said cabins have the shape of simulated space craft. 